It was just a steady drain of strength and energy.

Then the priest pulled away from the stone, and the steady drain on Kiron ended.

And the situation in Iraq will be a steady drain on resources, political capital and presidential energy.

Artistic activity was stunted by a steady drain of talent to Europe.

But the steady drain on my finances had to be from the cab fares.

The payments resumed, a steady drain on public coffers.

There's just been this slow but steady drain on the power.

The steady drain of men while units only held the line was less spectacular, though it made up half the losses of the Division.

It was a steady drain on his finances at a time when he couldn't afford it.

A few men lost here, one or two there-the sum mounts and is a steady drain.